SCRIPTURE
I will protect him, because he knows my name. PS. 91:14
DEVOTIONAL
Yesterday, we began to meditate on becoming familiar with the names of God. In Psalm 138:2, God states, "He exalts His Name and His Word above all things”. His Word is unchanging and eternal. His Name is unchanging and eternal as well.
We all have many names that carry parts of our identity. I am a father, a son, a husband, a friend, a pastor. These are just a few titles. In each identity, I display a different part of myself, create a different history, and perform in different ways specific to the title. All of these names are “stored” inside of my given name. But unless someone experiences me in each of these roles, they cannot know who I am in that specific expression of my identity. The more roles they see me in, the greater confidence they get in knowing me and in evaluating who I am.
God’s names carry the authority and the reputation of God. They help us access the many different parts of him. They have substance. They are strong. They are constant. They are trustworthy. And they are not at war with each other. We grow closer to God by knowing them. His names are attached to the essence of who He is. Each time we understand a name of God in our hearts, we grow in our confidence and authority to call on God from a place of relationship. “The name of the Lord is a strong tower. The righteous run into it and are safe.” (Proverbs 18:10)
QUESTION:
Is there a name of God that you feel you should get to know?
Is there a name of God that creates negative emotions that you avoid, confuses you, or leaves you disinterested?
Begin to talk and listen to God about any part of these above questions that feels significant. Remember: God is strong enough, confident enough, patient enough, and humble enough for you and your honesty today.
PRAYER
My God and Father, my strong King, my true Friend and only Savior -- I want to know you. I need to know you. Who are you? Who are you as my Creator, Sustainer, Provider, Protector? Who are you as Lion? As Lamb? Lord, awaken my hunger to know you, to know you by name in my innermost parts. Amen.